Tag: Inec

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has released supplementary regulations and guidelines for the review of election results in the country.

The supplementary regulations and guidelines now cleared procedure and timelines for the review of election results not declared in accordance with the law.

Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said in a statement in Abuja, that the supplementary guidelines were approved at the commission’s meeting held on Thursday.

He said that the commission among other issues discussed the need for clarity on the review of election results as well as the ongoing processing of applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.

“The proviso to Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers the commission to review declaration and return of results that were not made voluntarily or done contrary to the law, regulations and guidelines for the election.

“Consequently, there have been many interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act, making it necessary for the commission to use its powers under the law to issue regulations, guidelines or manuals.

“Also for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Act and for its administration.

“Clear procedure and timelines have now been provided, the details of which are contained in supplementary No.1 to the main regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections 2022,’’ he said.

He said that the supplementary regulations and guidelines had been uploaded to the commission’s website and other platforms for public information.

Olumekun also disclosed that the commission had received additional 12 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.

He recalled on June 23, INEC announced that it had received applications from 110 associations seeking registration as political parties.

He also recalled that INEC equally assured Nigerians that it will be giving regular updates on the matter, while pledging that the applications would be treated transparently and fairly.

Read Also: INEC receives 12 applications for political party registration

“Meanwhile, the commission had since received 12 more applications for registration as political parties as of Wednesday July 2, bringing the total number of applications to 122.

“The list of the new applications by names of associations, their acronyms, addresses and interim chairmen and secretaries has been uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information.

“We will respond to these applicants in line with the Electoral Act and regulations and guidelines for political parties 2022,’’ Olumekun said.

He also noted that one association had already changed its interim secretary as a result of defection to another association.

“To facilitate the consideration of these applications, the commission appealed to associations to maintain consistency of their proposed leadership and addresses.
“So that they do not by their own actions cause a delay to the timely consideration of their applications,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that some of the associations seeking registration includes I Love Nigeria (ILN) with John Nwobodo as the protem chairman, United Nigeria Development Party (UNDP) with Mrs Aisha Yesufu as protem Chairman.

Also, Integrity Nigeria (IPN) with Chief Tonte Ibraye as protem Chairman and Nigeria Farmers and Traders Progressive Party (NFTPP) whose details of the protem leaders were not provided.

(NAN)

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has raised concerns over the varying interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, which deals with the review of election results.

As the country prepares for upcoming bye-elections, off-cycle governorship polls, and the 2027 general election, Prof. Yakubu revealed that the Commission is working on supplementary regulations to guide the review of declarations and returns during elections.

Speaking during INEC’s second quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), the INEC boss urged them to take full responsibility for their roles, emphasizing that their duties go beyond just overseeing general elections.

 He said, “Pursuant to our powers to issue regulations, guidelines and manuals to give effect to the provisions of the Electoral Act and for its administration, the Commission is working on a supplement to the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022 to provide clarity on the review of declaration and return at elections. 

“As soon as the Commission takes a decision, perhaps as early as this week, the supplementary Regulations and Guidelines will be uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information”. 

Yakubu said further that the commission now have a full compliment of “RECs in all the states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). I wish to remind you that your work does not begin as the General Election approaches. You are full-time Commissioners. 

“There are policy and procedural issues already determined by the Commission which you need to implement without prompting from the Headquarters in Abuja. Some of you are already doing so, but you need to intensify your effort. 

“You do not need an elaborate conference or workshop to build the capacity of your staff to improve on their knowledge of new policies and practical innovations introduced by the Commission to improve electoral service delivery to Nigerians. 

Read Also: Rep Oke urges INEC to sanitize political space, calls for deregistration of dormant parties

“You also need to provide us with information on your plans to enhance voter access to polling units by decongesting some of them or in other areas such as the cleaning-up of the voters’ register, deepening our engagement with electoral stakeholders at State and Local Government levels, the management of electoral logistics and election security. 

“I wish to remind you that elections and electoral activities take place in the states of the Federation and your role as managers of personnel and resources is critical for success. 

“You can only effectively discharge your responsibilities when you are knowledgeable and committed. I encourage you to intensify your effort so that we will play our part in what is a multi-stakeholder responsibility more effectively”.

He said, “Already, the Commission has announced the dates for a number of elections and electoral activities. For the next one year (16th August 2025 to 8th August 2026), the Commission is holding five major elections. 

“These are the bye-elections in 12 States of the Federation on 16th August 2025, the Anambra State Governorship election on 8th November 2025, the Area Council elections in the FCT on 21st February 2026, the Ekiti Governorship election on 20th June 2026 and the Osun State Governorship election on 8th August 2026. 

“The Commission has released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for these elections and some of the activities have already been carried out, the latest being the commencement of campaign by Political Parties in Anambra State, the publication of the Notice of Election for the Ekiti State Governorship election and the conclusion of party primaries for the FCT Area Council elections. 

“Turning to electoral activities, the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) resumes nationwide on 18th August for online pre-registration and 25th August 2025 for in-person registration. However, the CVR in Anambra State will resume next week and will be held simultaneously in all the 326 Wards in the State. 

“This will enable the Commission to conclude the exercise and compile the new voters’ register not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law. You will be updated on the implementation plan at this meeting. The detailed timetable and locations of the CVR have already been made public by the Commission.”

•INEC to fill seven National Assembly seats, nine state constituency seats
•CRV resumes nationwide Aug 25

Elections into vacant seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and state Houses of  Assembly in 12 states will hold on August 16.

Online pre-registration of new voters will also start on August 18, while physical registration will follow on August 25.   

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Mahmood Yakubu announced the dates for the bye and rerun elections during a meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja yesterday.

Yakubu said about 3,553,659 registered voters will elect the new lawmakers during the bye-elections that involve two senatorial seats, five federal and nine state constituencies.

He, however, said that no bye-elections will be held in  Khana II state constituency in Rivers State because of emergency rule. There will also be no poll in  Talata Mafara South state Constituency in Zamfara State due to a legal issue. 

 Yakubu said:  “In the last two years since the inauguration of the National  Assembly and State Houses of  Assembly in June 2023, vacancies requiring bye-elections have occurred nationwide.

“You may recall that in February last year, INEC  conducted nine bye-elections to fill vacancies resulting from the death or resignation of members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

“Since then, more vacancies have been declared across the country. The outstanding bye-elections involve two Senatorial Districts  –  Anambra South and Edo Central; five Federal Constituencies  – Ovia South West/Ovia South East in Edo State, Babura/Garki in Jigawa State, Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna State, Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North in Ogun State and Ibadan North in Oyo State.

“Also, vacancies exist in nine state constituencies  ̶  Ganye in Adamawa State, Onitsha North I in Anambra State, Dekina/Okura in Kogi State, Zaria Kewaye and Basawa in Kaduna State, Bagwai/Shanono in Kano State, Mariga in Niger State, Karim Lamido I in Taraba State and Kauran Namoda South in Zamfara State).

“Consequently, the commission has fixed Saturday, 16th August 202,5 for bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states, involving a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 wards and 6,987 polling units.

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“The commission will deploy 30,451 officials. However, in spite of the declaration of vacancies, bye-elections will not be held in two state constituencies for the time being. These are the Khana II State constituency in Rivers State as a result of the current state of emergency and the Talata Mafara South State constituency in Zamfara State following a legal challenge to the declaration of the seat vacant by the state House of Assembly.

“Unlike the general election or off-cycle governorship elections, there is a tight timeframe for the conduct of bye-elections.

‘’Party primaries will be held between 17th and 21st July, 2025, while the online portal for submission of nomination forms will open at 9.00 am on 22nd July and end at 6.00 pm on 26th July, 2025.

“Campaign in public will commence on 2nd August 2025 and end at midnight on 14th August 2025, i.e. 24 hours before election day. 

“In addition to the bye-elections, the commission will also conduct the two outstanding court-ordered re-run elections in Enugu South I State Constituency of Enugu State and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State constituency in Kano State.

“These elections were disrupted by thuggery and violence. They will now be combined with the bye-elections upon assurances from the security agencies to adequately secure the process. The two elections will be held along with the bye-elections on Saturday, 16th August 2025.”

On Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)  the INEC boss said: “The commission has approved the resumption of the exercise, which will be held at two levels. Given the forthcoming governorship election, the CVR in Anambra State will commence in the 326 wards across the state on 8th July 2025 and end on 17th July 2025 from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily, including weekend.

“During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra State from other states of the federation or one location to another within the state will have the opportunity to do so.

“Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voter  Cards (PVCs) are lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for a replacement.

“Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres. 

“The online pre-registration option is not available for the time being. Voter registration and the compilation of the voter register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.

“For the nationwide CVR, the commission has approved the resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all the states of the federation. The online pre-registration will start on 18th August 2025, while the in-person registration will follow on 25th August 2025.

“The exercise will be held simultaneously in all our 36 states and FCT offices as well as our 774 Local Government offices nationwide. ‘’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled August 16, 2025, for the conduct of bye-elections into vacant seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly across 12 states.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement during a meeting with leaders of political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

He disclosed that the bye-elections will involve approximately 3,553,659 registered voters. However, the commission will not conduct bye-elections in Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State due to the ongoing state of emergency, nor in Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State, which is currently entangled in a legal dispute over the declaration of the seat as vacant.

Prof. Yakubu also announced that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will commence on August 25, with online pre-registration beginning a week earlier on August 18.

Prof Yakubu said, “In the last two years since the inauguration of the National and State Assemblies in June 2023, vacancies requiring bye-elections have occurred nationwide. You may recall that in February last year, the Commission conducted nine bye-elections to fill vacancies resulting from the death or resignation of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

“Since then, more vacancies have been declared across the country. The outstanding bye-elections involve two Senatorial Districts  ̶  Anambra South and Edo Central; five Federal Constituencies  ̶  Ovia South West/Ovia South East in Edo State, Babura/Garki in Jigawa State, Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna State, Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North in Ogun State and Ibadan North in Oyo State.

“Also, vacancies exist in nine State constituencies, Ganye in Adamawa State, Onitsha North I in Anambra State, Dekina/Okura in Kogi State, Zaria Kewaye and Basawa in Kaduna State, Bagwai/Shanono in Kano State, Mariga in Niger State, Karim Lamido I in Taraba State and Kauran Namoda South in Zamfara State).

“Consequently, the Commission has fixed Saturday, 16th August 2025, for bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 States of the country involving a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards and 6,987 Polling Units.

“The Commission will deploy 30,451 officials. However, in spite of the declaration of vacancies, bye-elections will not be held in two State constituencies for the time being. These are Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State as a result of the current state of emergency and Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State following a legal challenge to the declaration of the seat vacant by the State Assembly.

“Unlike the General Election or Off-cycle Governorship elections, there is a tight timeframe for the conduct of bye-elections. Party primaries will be held between 17th and 21st July 2025, while the online portal for submission of nomination forms will open at 9.00 am on 22nd July and end at 6.00 pm on 26th July 2025.

“Campaign in public will commence on 2nd August 2025 and end at midnight on 14th August 2025, i.e. 24 hours before Election Day. The hard copies of the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the bye-elections, including delimitation details of the 16 constituencies and their locations on the map of Nigeria, are included in your folders for this meeting.

“The same information will be uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information shortly.

“In addition to the bye-elections, the Commission will also conduct the two outstanding Court-ordered re-run elections in Enugu South I State Constituency of Enugu State and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency in Kano State.

“These elections were severely disrupted by thuggery and violence. They will now be combined with the bye-elections upon assurances from the security agencies to adequately secure the process. The two elections will be held along with the bye-elections on Saturday, 16th August 2025”.

Speaking on the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the INEC boss said, “The Commission has approved the resumption of the exercise, which will be held at two levels. In view of the forthcoming Governorship election, the CVR in Anambra State will commence in the 326 Wards across the State on 8th July 2025 and end on 17th July 2025 from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily, including the weekend.

“During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra State from other States of the Federation or from one location to another within the State will have the opportunity to do so.

“Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for a replacement.

Read Also: IPAC urges INEC to restore public confidence in electoral process

“Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres. Interested, eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in person to register.

“The online pre-registration option is not available for the time being. Voter registration and the compilation of the voters’ register must be completed no later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.

“Detailed information, including the locations of the 326 registration centres in Anambra State, is included in your folders for this meeting. The same information will be uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information.

“For the nationwide CVR, the Commission has approved the resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all the States of the Federation. The online pre-registration will start on 18th August 2025, while the in-person registration will follow on 25th August 2025.

“The exercise will be held simultaneously in all our 37 State and FCT offices as well as our 774 Local Government offices nationwide. A Detailed schedule of activities will be released shortly.”

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently address its internal challenges and rebuild public trust in the country’s electoral system.

Speaking on Thursday at the second quarterly consultative meeting between INEC and political party leaders, IPAC Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, expressed concern over the growing loss of confidence among Nigerians in the commission’s ability to deliver credible elections.

“INEC should put its act together and justify the confidence Nigerians have reposed in it to conduct free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive elections,” Dantalle stated.

He stressed the need for INEC to uphold the principles of transparency and integrity as Nigeria continues to nurture its democratic culture, adding that the nation can reclaim its position as the beacon of democracy in Africa.

Dantalle reaffirmed IPAC’s commitment to promoting electoral integrity, political stability, and public trust, noting that the council remains a key platform for ensuring the credibility of elected public office holders.

He said, “While there is improvement in the conduct of recent elections, voter turnout remains low, very low, indicating a lack of trust in the electoral governance. It could be fear that their votes might not count, fear of violence and lack of confidence in the candidates contesting various offices who might not fulfil their election promises.

“This is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately. Active citizens’ participation in the political process is essential for sustainable democracy and development.

“We must continue to work on rebuilding trust in electoral governance. Elections are a prerequisite of democracy. In fact, it is the beauty of democracy. We must uphold the sanctity of the ballot box and respect the will of the people as expressed therein.

Read Also: Ex-Osun IPAC chair slams Adeleke over probe of radio stations

“Elected public officers must be held accountable at all levels of governance. This is the one salient way to protect and sustain our hard-earned democracy.

“After 26 years of unbroken democracy, citizens expect the best of representative governance in tandem with the provisions of Section 14(2)b of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

“When elections are free and fair, and credible leaders emerge, there will be inherent trust and confidence in the process. Citizens will be encouraged to participate in nation building”.

Speaking on the FCT Area Council elections, he said, “IPAC urges leaders of political parties to conduct transparent primaries for the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election.

“The integrity of the electoral process starts with parties’ primaries, where candidates are nominated for various offices. Parties are urged to comply with the provisions of their constitutions for rancour-free exercises and desist from the imposition of candidates.

“IPAC further urges political parties and their candidates to imbibe issue-based campaigns for the 8th November 2025, Anambra State governorship election. Politicians and their supporters should eschew politics of bitterness that impedes the nation’s emerging democracy”.

He said the Anambra gubernatorial poll provides yet another opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its capacity to conduct a credible election, leveraging on effective application of its new technologies through centralised Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance that will enhance decision-making through data-driven insights, risk management, voter engagement, predictive analytics, automation and intelligent safeguards.

 This, he said, will strengthen electoral credibility and integrity, as well as prevent glitches that could erode confidence in elections.

He said IPAC will consider adopting AI governance in parties’ membership drives, voter education and mobilisation for elections, adding that “IPAC supports any effort to strengthen democratic institutions in the country.

“It commends the leadership of INEC and the Federal Government for initiating the construction of the new headquarters annexe building of the commission. It is a giant step forward in solving the electoral umpire’s long-standing space issue, thus creating an enabling environment for the commission to discharge its statutory mandate.

“So much is expected of INEC ahead of the FCT council poll, Anambra State governorship election, Osun State gubernatorial poll 2026 and the 2027 general election. To whom much is given, much is expected.”